UNIVERSITY College Chester has seen a staggering rise in the number of students applying for places, top-ping the list of all universities and colleges in the country.

The latest figures show applications to Chester through the UCAS system were 48% up on last year, compared to a national sector increase of just 9%.

The increase represents 4,000 more applications than at the same stage of the application cycle last year.

Despite the increase, the intake of undergraduates recruited for the next academic year will remain the same as previous years - at about 2,400 students. Overall, University College Chester has about 9,400 students.

The principal, Professor Tim Wheeler, said: 'The increase in students wanting to come and study here is remarkable - but not surprising when you consider what we have to offer.

'We employ able and committed staff here in teaching, administration and support services and our standards are extremely high.

' The college has two magnificent campuses (in Chester and Warrington) which have had millions of pounds invested in them, and will continue to do so. Last year saw the opening of our state-of-the-art Binks building at Chester and the North West Media Centre at Warrington campus. Later this year we will be opening our new Health and Social Care building, which will have cost around £4m.

'Such investment shows potential students that we are serious about providing the very best facilities for them.

'We have also introduced a range of new academic areas, such as Criminology, Law and Graphic Design, and we have expanded the range of Media courses on offer.'

David Marshall, director of corporate communications, said: 'We have been working hard to raise the profile of the College over the past 12 months.

'We have had many visitors to the college, including HRH The Princess Royal, Government ministers, leading politicians from all parties and people at the top of their profession such as well-known writers and eminent scientists.

'Events such as the Cheshire and Warrington Science Festival, our links with the Chester Literature Festival and the Cheshire Prize for Literature have all helped to make the college more prominent.'

Mr Marshall added: 'I'm sure another reason for this rise in applications is the

fact that the college has applied for university status and by the start of the next academic year we hope to be a fully-fledged university.'

The college's marketing team has employed some highly successful tactics to attract students.

Marketing manager Ric Bengree said: 'There are 14 higher education institutions in the North West and above 300 nationally, all vying for new students - so we need to be ahead of the game when attracting students.

'Our Open Days in May and October are very popular. These are open to prospective students who haven't yet decided which college to apply to and it gives them a chance to see what's on offer here.'

Some students who graduated last year explained why they chose University College Chester and what they enjoyed about studying there:

Eddie French, from Leeds, studied Media (Commercial Music Production) at the Warrington Campus, which he felt had a real community feel because of its intimate size. He said: 'I liked the tutors because they were very supportive.'

Gavin Dickson, from Downpatrick in Ireland, graduated in Media (Radio Production) with Business Management and IT. He said: 'The lecturers were always there to help and gave me good advice. The facilities were excellent.'

Prof Wheeler added: 'The bottom line is that we are offering very good courses leading to excellent career opportunities in an attractive, supportive, historic city.